#19: An Interview with Gregory Wilbur on Astronomy and Harmonics

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Welcome to The Classical Homeschool Podcast. At the Classical Homeschool Podcast, our heart is to take on the work of wrestling through the, sometimes difficult and philosophical, ideas presented throughout the classical education movement and bring them down to earth, specifically and practically for the classical homeschooling mom.

Gregory Wilbur is Chief Musician at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Franklin, TN. In addition to his work at the church, Greg has taught for more than 20 years in classical schools and currently serves as Dean and Senior Fellow of New College Franklin—a Christian liberal arts college that he helped to start. He earned his Masters in Music Composition at the University of Alabama. He is the author of Glory and Honor: The Music and Artistic Legacy of Johann Sebastian Bach and has released two CDs of his compositions of congregational psalms, hymns and service music. He also composes for choir, orchestra, film and chamber ensembles including the soundtrack for the recently released documentary on Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Logic on Fire. In addition to speaking and writing, he has a weekly column on the Quadrivium called The Crossroads on the CiRCE Institute website. His wife, Sophia, homeschools their daughter, Eleanor, and they all enjoy reading, cooking, taking walks and enjoying life in middle Tennessee.

“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ESV

Questions in Today’s Episode:

What lead you to classical education and your work with the quadrivium?

What is the Quadrivium? What is Astronomy? What is Harmonics?

How did the ancients practice the liberal art of harmonics? What kinds of skills does Harmonics cultivate?

How did the ancients practice the liberal art of astronomy? What kinds of skills does Astronomy cultivate?

Can you “paint us a picture” of what it is like to study harmonics and astronomy?

What is one of the most fascinating things you have discovered or learned in your studies related to the quadrivium, especially in harmonics and astronomy?

Why is it important to study harmonics and astronomy?

How can modern classical homeschool moms incorporate the study of harmonics and astronomy? Are there introductory way to begin playing with these mathematical arts?